It’s been two months since West Virginia and the basketball world said goodbye to Jerry West, who died June 12 at the age of 86.
The Chelyan native was remembered for his work as a player and executive.
The West Virginia University athletic department announced Thursday that all 18 Mountaineer teams will honor the WVU legend with a commemorative logo on their uniforms.
Famed basketball player Jerry West was born in Chelyan on May 28, 1938. WVU athletic teams will wear commemorative logos on their uniforms this school year to honor West, who died June 12.
Courtesy of the West Virginia Humanities Council“Through his lifetime of commitment to West Virginia University and its academic and athletic mission, the great Jerry West has touched the lives of thousands of our student-athletes, and that’s why every team will honor him this season,†WVU athletic director Wren Baker said in a release.
“He’s the greatest Mountaineer ever. His outstanding legacy is large, and he will always be beloved, remembered and in the hearts of all West Virginians.â€
- By Taylor Kennedy tkennedy@hdmediallc.com
- 6 min to read
WVU said in the release that the Mountaineers will honor the basketball icon during one of WVU’s weekend basketball games. The opponent and game will be determined at a later date, once the Big 12 Conference schedule is finalized.
The basketball team will wear a throwback uniform, symbolizing West’s era at WVU.
WVU did something similar in 2004 by wearing special royal blue uniforms against No. 5 Pitt, celebrating 100 years of WVU men’s basketball.
FILE - In this May 29, 2008 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant gives basketball great Jerry West a shoulder rub after the Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals in Los Angeles. When asked about the latest honor in a long series of enshrinements and accolades since West hung up his sneakers in 1974, the longtime Los Angeles Lakers guard and executive seemed to be anticipating his trip to Kansas City to be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame with something between cautious excitement and outright dread. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
- Kevork Djansezian
Gordon Eismon, WVSSAC vice president (left) and Roy Williams, coach, with East Bank's team captain Jerry West after winning the 1956 Class A state basketball tournament. West scored 39 points in the Pioneers' 71-56 victory over the Morgantown Mohicans at Mountaineer Field House in Morgantown. West ended the season with 926 points. March 24, 1956 photo by Frank Wilkin.
- Gazette-Mail file photo
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, receives a basketball from Jerry West to commemorate Bryant breaking West's record as the all-time leading scorer for the Lakers before their game against the Charlotte Bobcats, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
- Mark J. Terrill
Jerry West was East Bank High School’s starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953-56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state’s first high school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
- WVU’s West Virginia & Regional History Center
The Mountaineers also said any men’s basketball promotional material this season will have West’s No. 44 logo.
The logo will also be visible on the sidelines of the WVU Coliseum floor.
West was a standout player for the East Bank Pioneers in high school as he was named All-State from 1953-56.
His senior season in 1956 earned him All-American recognition, the West Virginia Player of the Year award and state champion status at East Bank.
West played at WVU from 1956-60 and left as the Mountaineers’ all-time leading scorer (2,309). He was a two-time consensus All-American.
In 1959, he led the Mountaineers to their only NCAA national championship game appearance, where they lost 71-70 to California.
West was picked No. 2 overall in the 1960 NBA draft by the then-Minneapolis Lakers before they relocated to Los Angeles.
The West Virginia native spent his entire 14-season playing career with the Lakers, spanning from 1960-74.
He was a 14-time NBA All-Star, 10-time All-NBA first-team selection and four-time NBA All-Defensive Team member and was the scoring champion in 1970.
His No. 44 has since been retired by the Lakers and Mountaineers.
West transitioned from being a player to NBA executive. He served in executive offices for the Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers.
West won eight NBA titles as an executive, six with the Lakers and two with the Warriors.
